I did it in 1995 in a 1982 Ford Laser. There was a few longish days but really, truly, it's a national highway in a (mostly) 1st-world nation.
...as it was 20 fkn years ago when I did it.
The third-world sh*thole conditions don't start until you get out to the communities.
Eh this is Warringarri Radio - here's some slim dusty comin your way!